When all else Fails???????

[Treasure2Find]

Most recently I met a guy named John. There are a bunch of us Big Book Thumpers that go to a Friday night newcomer’s mtg. I met John one Friday evening. Discussion meeting so we all went around the room doing our best to spread our disease. John said that he wasn’t sure that he wanted what AA had to offer and definitely didn’t want anything to with that dam book as he put it.

Well the meeting turned into an AA auction. I had to read this and I had to write this, on page 20 our very lives, chapter 7 insure immunity, you name it we dished it out. John got himself caught in an AA fire fight. Granted I didn’t want John to die know one wanted that. We wanted him to have the same solution and life that was so freely given to us? John talked about the book living sober, big mistake in our group. Living sober was written after the founders were both dead and our take on it is that if it was worth reading wouldn’t Bill have signed off on it before he died.

I was looking over at John and was thinking to myself we just chased this guy right out of AA. During the week we got wind that John died of an over dose. We all sat around telling ourselves all he had to do was just take the dam suggestions. After all we handed him everything we had. We handed him everything we had except our love.

This happened a few 24 hours ago and since then I am no longer an active member of this group. The other day I met someone at meeting who was in the same condition as John. He was extremely knowledgeable with all the literature but no step work, sponsor, or anything. He was pretty beat up and said that he wanted to get involved in AA but that there was some other programs and books he wanted to check out.

I looked at this man and said I had enough of this its time to walk the walk. After the meeting I walked over to the man and introduced myself. I asked him if he had a ride and what was going on. He said he was all set for transportation, we talked for a minute but as I drove away I saw him walking. I stopped and again I offered a ride. We got to talking and funny thing he asked me about the Book Living sober. I said yes it’s a great book there’s one in my glove box you can have it. Over the next week we talked about the book and hit a few meetings together not once did I talk about the Big Book or the steps or anything. Out of the blue he asked what’s the secret to sobriety? Why does everyone make it look so easy?

I said open up your Living Sober Book to chapter 30 and you tell me. That night he asked me for a Big Book and since then he has a favorite saying. When all else fails try working the steps. No more AA auction for me I’ve chased enough people out of the rooms……

All Good Things,

[CarolD]

Seems like a good plan to me T2

In my opinion...
Recovery is not a contest
for proving who is right or wrong.

[Treasure2Find]

Thankyou Carol, it does seem like a good plan. I value your opinion and loved what you had to say.

All Good Things,

[JustOneMan]

I guess another way to look at is:

If I walked into the door today and looked around would I want to join?

Am I, by my words and actions, "walking the walk" and setting an example?

Would someone want what I have?

Sounds like you were where you were, when you were, with the experience you have had, to truly help that man.

Accident? (don't think so)

[earthnocentric]

Im certainly guilty of rubbing people the wrong way in meetingsfrom time to time. But knowing how little I cared about others before sobriety it's quite a transformation to now be concerning myself with things like "how to be of maximum service" & "skillfull comunication".

[Treasure2Find]

earthnocentric,

Thank you for your post, you mean there is more than one person out there who thinks like I do. I was beginning to think I was unique

[CarolD]

Welcome to SR earthnocentric